A BOY with Down’s Syndrome who was told he would be unable to join his friends at junior school has been accepted at an alternative school.

Simon Fenner, aged seven, has been a pupil at Barnsbury Infant School, Woking, for two years but was told he would be unable to join his friends when they transferred to Barnsbury Junior School in September. Mark Wells, headteacher of the junior school in Almond Avenue, Woking, said his school did not have the resources to give Simon the education he needed. Instead his mother Barbara was told to find him a place at a special school. Mrs Fenner, of Albert Drive, Sheerwater, had intended to appeal to Surrey County Council against the decision and a petition, signed by parents of pupils at both schools, called for Simon to be given a place. Now, however, Simon is to be welcomed at Chobham St Lawrence School, Chobham, from September and Mrs Fenner is delighted with the choice. She said: “Simon is very excited about his new school. Other schools in the area had said they would accept him but I felt Chobham St Lawrence was the best place for him to continue his education.” The Down’s Syndrome Association has produced an information package designed to give information to schools about Down’s Syndrome children in mainstream education. This will be unveiled at the House of Commons this spring and Simon and his mother will be guests of honour at the launch.